Collapsible crate



Jan. 9, 1934. F. J, KLINKA 1,942,713

COLLAPS IBLE CRATE Filed NOV. l2, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l um, -nmlllllllll Hmm.- Inlunmllnlllu yIHIIIIHIH'IHII c mnu- -IHIIHIIIMIII nl -nlllllllw "Il "m" Y INVENTOR. /0 /0 TORNE Y.

Patented Jan. 9, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application November 12, 1931 Serial No. 574,552

5 claims. (o1. 22o- 6) This invention relates to egg crates and more particularly to a collapsible egg crate made entirely of metal, the invention being an improvement on the copending application of Frank J. Klinka, Serial No. 459,420 filed May 10,1930.

It is an obj-ect of this invention to provide an all-metal egg crate in which the sides have reinforcing members to prevent bending and to permit the use of relatively light metal sides.

A further object of this invention is to pro- Vide the top and bottom members with pluralities of raised ribs which increase the rigidity of the members and cooperate with other raised portions in the top and bottom members to maintain the cardboard sheets at the top and bottom of the crate spaced from the body of the top and bottom members so as to prevent breakage of eggs.

A further object of this invention is to provide the sides of the crate from a single sheet of metal and to utilize the cut away portions for one side of the crate to form a portion of the adjacent side.

A structure embodying the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and will be hereafter fully described, the invention residing in certain novel features which will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the crate assembled;

Figure 2 is a detail of the lock member which forms a part of the top and bottom;

Figure 3 is a layout view showing a strip of metal marked for stamping and illustrating how the entire sheet of metal may be utilized to form the sides of the crate; and

Figure 4 is a perspective View showing the crate in partial folded position.

Referring to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, the crate is composed of two pairs of similar sides 10-10, 12--12, a top 14 and a bottom 16.

Each of the sides is composed of a plurality of horizontal slats 18 having a longitudinal reinforcing rib 20 pressed into the metal, the sides 10-10 being shown as composed of an even number of slats 18, while the sides 12-12 are shown as having an odd number of slats, the slats of one side fitting between the slats of the adjacent sides to form a hinged connection.

Each slat is provided with an eye 22 on both ends of the slat, the eyes of the slats of the sides 10 and 12 aligning to form a hinge and having hinge pins 25 passing through the eyes of adjacent sides to pivotally mount one side relative to the adjacent side.

The slats 18 are joined by transverse members 27 formed integrally therewith and provided with 50 reinforcing ribs 29 similar to the ribs 20 on the slats 18.

The total height of the sections 12-12 is increased to equal that of the sections 10-10 by the provision of extensions 32 on the trans- 65 verse members 27.

The pins 25, heretofore mentioned, are provided with eyes 35 at the opposite ends thereof which retain the top 14 and bottom 16 in hinged relation to the sides 10-10 and 12-12.

The top 14 and the bottom 16 are preferably lcomposed of a solid piece of sheet metal having longitudinal reinforcing ribs 36 pressed thereinto and extending -across the case and supplemented by a plurality of indentations such as 38 which extend into the case and provide a support for the cardboards of the egg containers.

The sides of the top 14 and bottom 16 parallel to the ribs 36 are provided with a pair of inturned flanges 40 which overle the extensions 32 to prevent them from being forced outwardly and bent out of shape. The edges perpendicular to the ribs 36 are provided with eyes 43 which cooperate with the eyes 35 and with the hinge pins 44 in forming a hinge between the top and the sides 10-10.

A lock, best shown in Fig. 2, is formed in an eye 46 lying on the edge of the top and between adjacent sides 10-10 opposite the hinge 35-43 and comprises a pin member 49 iixedly mounted in the eye through an enlargement 50; the pin passing through an eye 35 similar to the eyes 35 which retain the hinge pin 44 to fix that edge of the crate in place relative to the sides.

A second pin bolt member 52 is mounted with a handle 53 projecting from an elongated aperture 55 in the eye 46 and is constantly urged to an outer position by a spring 5'7.

The crate may be locked by inserting the pin 49 in one eye `35, withdrawing the pin 52 by means of the actuating handle 53 and letting the spring take effect to insert the pin 52 through an eye 35 on one of the pins 25.

In addition to the above structure described for the top 14 and the bottom 16, the top is provided with a handle 58 mounted in a retainer 59 which is xed to the top of the case and extends transversely to the ribs 36.

It will be noted that the sides 10-10 and 12--12 are readily stamped from a single sheet of continuous metal, the slats 18 of the sides 12-12 be- 110 ing stamped from between the slats 18 of the side 10-10 so that there is no waste incurred in manufacture.

Having thus described the invention, it is realized that it is susceptible to various changes and modifications coming well within the scope of one skilled in the art and it is not, therefore, desired to limit the invention to the precise form herein shown and described, but only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A collapsible crate of the character described, having unitary side members comprising a plurality of slats and a transverse reinforcing member integrally formed with said slats and joining the same together, the slats of adjacent sides being staggered so that the ends of the slats of one side are interposed between the ends of the slats of the adjacent sides and whereby the slats of one side may be formed by the metal cut from between the slats of the two adjacent sides.

2. In a collapsible crate having hingedly connected sheet metal sides and a top and bottom hingedly connected to certain of the sides, each side comprising a plurality of slats and a medial reinforcing member formed integrally therewith, the slats of adjacent sides being staggered so that the ends of the slats of one side are interposed between the ends of the slats of the adjacent sides.

3. In a collapsible crate of the character described, comprising a top, a bottom, and a plurality of sides, said sides each comprising a plurality of metallic strips and a transverse reinforcing member formed integrally therewith, the slats of each side being interposed between the slats of the adjacent side and means to pivotally connect said slats together to form a collapsible crate.

4. In a collapsible crate including four hingedly connected sides and a top and bottom hingedly connected to certain of the sides, said sides being blanked from sheet metal and each comprising a plurality of parallel slats integrally connected attheir medial portions, the slats of each side being staggered with respect to the slats of its two adjacent sides and the slats of each side being of the same dimensions as the spaces between the slats of its two adjacent sides, whereby one side may be formed by the metal cut from a sheet during the blanking of two other sides.

5. An article carrying crate having unitary side members each comprising a plurality of slats integrally connected at their medial portions, the slats of adjacent sides being staggered so that the ends of the slats of one side are interposed between the ends of the slats of adjacent sides and whereby the slats of one side may be formed by the material cut from between the slats of the two adjacent sides.

FRANK J. KLINKA. 

